Fluid regulator



(MOE/USER INVENTOR J. H. FRlCKlE FL'UID REGULATOR Filed Oct. 21, 1933 Feb. 16, 1937.

Patented Feb. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to devices for automatically regulating the flow of elastic fluids, such as steam, particularly where reduced pressure is to be supplied from a relatively high pressure source.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a regulating device of the above character, which will be characterized by freedom from operating difficulties and repairs for long periods of service.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pressure regulator which will be of rugged and simple construction, and which will avoid the use of conventional pressure diaphragms.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus which will serve to maintain a constant flow of steam thru a prime mover or like device, and at the same time function as a pressure reducing means.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevational view illustrating diagrammatically one manner in which my device may be connected in conjunction with a prime mover, to control flow of steam therethrough at a reduced pressure.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View, in cross section, illustrating a regulating device incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional detail taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring first to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the device illustrated therein consists of a body Ill, having an infiow opening II for connection with a source of high pressure steam or like elastic fluid and an outflow opening l2, for connection with the low pressure system. Mounted Within the body II] are the valve seats 13 and I4, which are generally cylindrical in form, and which are alined on a common axis. In the modification illustrated the valve seats I3 and I4 are constructed as parts separate from the body, and are detachably mounted with respect to the inner body portion l6, by suitable means such as threaded connections l1 and I8. Valve seat I3 is shown provided with an upper flange 13 which is shaped hexagonally, or otherwise formed to iacilitate application of a wrench or like tool. The lower seat I4 is likewise shown provided with similarly formed flange 2|.

Fluid flow thru the valve seats l3 and I4 is preferably by way of openings or ports 22 and 23.. It will be noted that two annular rows of ports are provided, and these rows are staggered with respect to each other. The lower side of the body I is preferably closed by a removable plate 5 24, which affords access to the interior of the body for the removal of valve seat M. The upper side of the body is likewise enclosed by a removable head 26, which affords access for the removal of valve seat l3.

Extending concentrically with respect to the valve seats l3 and N, that is, in alinement with the common axis of these seats, there is a tubular plunger 21. Mounted or formed upon this plunger, are'the two spaced pistons 28 and 29, which slidably fit within the valve seats. These pistons are shown provided with conventional split piston rings 3|, to promote sealing engagement. The spacing between pistons 28 and 29 is such that when plunger 21 is moved downwardly, ports 22 and 23 are uncovered by an equal amount, to permit fiow of steam or like fluid from the infiow opening I I, to the outflow opening l2. Downward movement to full open position can be arrested by suitable means such as a lug 32, 25 formed upon the inner side of plate 24. Upward movement from full open position serves to reduce the exposed area of ports 22 and 23, until a position is reached where the ports are entirely sealed by the pistons.

The upper extended end portion 34 of plunger 21 is slidably fitted within a cylinder bore 35, formed in the head 26. Suitable means such as split piston rings 36 are provided so that the upper end of the plunger 21 in effect forms a piston having a relatively sealed fit within the cylinder bore 36. Varying pressures to modify operation of the device can be applied to the cylinder bore 35 by means of a pipe connection 38.

In order to serve as resilient means for nor- 40 mally urging plunger 21 together with the pistons 28 and 29 towards open position, a compression spring 39 is disposed within the plunger. To adjust or vary the tension applied to spring 39, a screw 4| is threaded into the head 26. Leakage about this screw is prevented by conventional means such as a packing gland 42, and the outer end of the screw can be provided with suitable means such as a hand wheel 40, for its adjustment. The inner end of the screw is provided with a thrust shoulder 43, upon which the upper end of spring 39 is seated. The lower end of this spring seats upon the lower end portion of the plunger 21.

It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the inner faces component will be created tending to move the pistons toward closed position.

Operation of my device as a simple pressure regulator can now be describedz- -It will bepresumedthat the inflow opening l l is connected to a source of high pressure steam, while. the out-:

flow opening I 2 is connected to a system to which low pressure steam is to be supplied. When the pressure upon the outflow'side is between desired. limits, for a'given, steam consumption from the low pressure system, pistons 28 and 29 assume an, intermediate position-in which the pressurepf.

spring 39 balances the differential force v:cornponent created by virtue of the diiferent areas exposed by the pistons to the outflow pressure. In

the event-steamconsumption on the outflow, side of the'device increases, thus causing a fall in the outflow pressure, the differential :iorce component upon the twopistonszdecreases, thus causing the spring 39 to move the pistons downwardly to expose a greater area ofports 22 and23. Thus an increased flow ofsteamis admitted to the. inflow side, to maintain the outflow pressure. Conversely if, the outflow pressure-tends to increase, as for example due to a, decrease in the consumption of steam in the outflow1system, the

difierential force component upon the pistons in-,

creases to move the pistons; upwardly, thus defcreasing the exposed area of the ports 22 and 23.

In the event steam consumptionin the outflow system ceases entirely, the pistons will move upwardly sufliciently far to entirely seal the de- Tvice against further flow. Thus the outflow pressure is maintained between desired limits irrespectiveof variationsin the rate ofconsumption;

of steamfrom the outflow system, and also, ir-

respective-of pressure changes onthe high pres-' sure side.

As shown in Fig. 1, itis also possible to utilize my deviceas a combined, governor and pressure reducing valve.

supply of steam to an engine, turbine or like prime mover 2.- ,The exhaust from the prime mover-2 is shown connected to a condenser 3,

Pipe 38 from the regulator is shown connected between the prime mover 2 and the condenser- 3. With such an arrangement it is apparent that the pressure within the cylinder bore of the regulator will vary in accordance with back pressure upon the prime mover 2. Upon an increase in the pressure in cylinder bore 35, a force is' added to spring 39, tending to-move pistons 28 and 29 towards open position. Thus when the exhaust pressureon prime mover 2 tends to increase, increased steam pressure in cylinder bore 36 tends to increase the amount of steamsupplied, to the prime mover, and conversely when the exhaust pressure tends todecrease, a lesser amount of steamqissupplied. Thus my device in this instance will functionas a governor, to; maintain theamount of steam flowing thru the prime mover substantially constant, inaddition In thisicase the regulatoris indicated generally at I, and serves to regulate to'the function of reducing the pressure from the steam supply.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described,

a prime mover, a pressure regulator connected between a source of high pressure steam and the prime mover, said regulator serving of itself to maintain the pressure of steam applied to the prime mover substantially constant, and a back pressure connection from the exhaust side of the prime mover to the regulator, to serveto modify the action of the regulator.

2. In a steam flow regulating device of the character described, a body having an inflow "opening for connection with a source of relatively high pressure steam and also having an outflowlo'pening for connection with a low pressure steam system, a pair of spaced cylindrical valve members disposed Within said body and serving to establish communication betweenthe inflow and outflow openings, saidvalve seats being in alinement and having ports extending laterally:

through the same, a tubular plunger extending axially through said valve seats, a pair of spaced cylindrical valve members carried by saidplunger and'slidably-fitted within the valve seats, said valve members serving'to regulate flow of steam' through said ports dependent upon the positioning of :the same, saidvalve members being substantially balanced with respect to inflow pressure and unbalanced to a substantial degree with respect to outflow pressure, sealing rings.

carried by said valve members and serving to seal the same relative to the seats, a cylinder formed within one'side of the boy and alined with respect to the plunger, a piston formed on. one end of the plunger and slidably fitted within.

said cylinder, asealing ring carried by said.pis

ton and serving as the sole means to seal the" piston relative to the cylinder, acompression spring disposed within saidtubular-plunger, one

end of the bore of the tubular plunger being in. communication with saidcylinder and the other end of the bore being closed, and means'for connecting said cylinder ,to anexternal sourcev of pressure.

3. In apparatus of the characterdescribed, a.

primeimover, a pressure regulator connected be--,

tween a source of high pressure steam and the prime mover, said pressure regulator serving of itself to maintain the pressure of steam supplied to the prime mover substantially constant; and

including a chamber adapted to receive steam;

under pressure to modify the pressure delivered by the regulator to the outflow side thereof, and a back pressure connection from the exhaust side of the prime mover to said chamber.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a;

prime mover, a pressure regulator connected between a source of high pressure steam. and the prime mover; said regulator including. a flow control valve, means responsive to inflow and outflow pressures for actuating the control valve to maintain the outflow pressure substantially constant, a chamber adapted to receive steam from an external source, and a member urged by steam pressure in said chamber to apply force to the valve member in a direction to cause opening I movement of the same; and a back pressure connection from the exhaust side of the prime mover to said chamber, whereby anincrease in steam pressure on the exhaust side of the'prime mover causes an increase in the, supply of steam from the regulator to the prime mover.

JAMES HOWARD FRICKIE. 

